Notes from a small county
Well not that small really, but certainly Suffolk is smaller than its neighbours Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
It is such a joy to be there at this time of the year. Each week there is something new to notice in the garden, or the surrounding fields and woods. The pond in my garden is a natural one, and this year the water lilies have been prolific. A moorhen is nesting in amongst the foliage. Four ducklings are growing fast despite having been abandoned by their parents. Apples are just beginning to appear already and of course the roses are at their best. The garden is patroled by a territorial and noisy cock pheasant.
I am the proud owner of a 1973 Rover 3.5 coupe. It is costly to maintain and has its own eccentricities but it is a pleasure to look forward to at weekends. Amazingly it has only done 58,000 miles and I drive it very gently. 1973 was the last year of production. Both Harold Wilson and Margaret Thatcher were driven around in similar models. Wherever I go people admire it and want to know all about it. So many people’s fathers, uncles or their family GP seemed to have owned one. Despite the offers, and despite the rather eccentric speedometer and rev counter, it is not for sale.
Every village has its summer fete, many to coincide with the longest days of the year.
Of course no place is without its difficulties, but it is a great privilege to live in a rural setting of such beauty, and also to be able to experience the buzz and energy of London. However after a week in Westminster and despite a very busy constituency life, there can be fewer more agreeable places to be.
I am very lucky indeed.